Tag: Salvation

Devotionals

The Book of Moses        

Loring Schultz

Read: John 5:39-47 NLT – “You search the Scriptures because – Bible Gateway

“If you really believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me.” John 5:46 NLT

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

The first five books of the Bible are known as ‘The Pentateuch’ meaning in the Greek ‘five books.’ It is referred to as ‘The Torah’ (law) in the Hebrew Bible. Moses is the human author for these collection of five books, therefore, the name ‘Book of Moses’ is appropriate. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy  run consecutively in historical sequence picking up where the previous book left off. It is like a miniseries streaming on your favorite streaming service. You can binge read this series the same as you would binge watch Netflix.

The Pentateuch, Torah, (book of the Law) was extremely important to the Jewish people especially in Jesus’ day. For centuries this was Israel’s only Scripture. It covers Israel’s relationship as God’s chosen people and fulfills God’s promises to Abraham in the book of Genesis. “I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.’” (Gen.12:1-13 nlt)

Abraham’s descendants became a great nation. Israel has been a blessing to others. Every family on earth is blessed by the birth of Jesus Christ, a descendant of Abraham as described by Paul in Galatians. “What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would make the Gentiles right in his sight because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, ‘All nations will be blessed through you.’” (3:8 nlt)  

The bottom line is the ‘Book of Moses’ is for both Jews and Christians. It shows the way to a right relationship with God for Old Testament believers and Christians and Jews today are shown that same way to God through Christ Jesus from the ‘Book of Moses.’

Devotionals

Feeling rejected?            

Loring Schultz

Read: John 6:35-40 NLT – Jesus replied, “I am the bread of – Bible Gateway

“However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them.” John 6:37

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Rejection is an experience we all face in life. Some of us are able to handle rejection well, especially if it is a common thread in our lives. Others have a tough time in dealing with any rejection occurring in their lives. There are many types of rejections. Rejections occur in seeking employment, being turned down for a part in the theater, having your mail-in voting ballet rejected for lack of a signature, even being turned down when asking for that first date.

The above examples may rattle some of us but there are several other rejections in life that are more devastating. The feeling of being rejected by your family for your choice in a spouse or being shunned by your friends for converting to Christianity and changing your lifestyle. Some people are rejected by both their friends and family for their political beliefs vowing to never speak to them again. These rejections are the ones which hurt and hurt deeply. Christians find that living a life pleasing to God by following His Word will lead to a life of struggle and disappointment.

But even with all the struggles and disappointments there is immense joy in being in the family of God, and Jesus will never reject us. The most destructive rejection of all is being rejected from the kingdom of God. The sad reality is that none of us are worthy to be accepted into God’s kingdom on our merits. God is not rejecting us, but we have rejected Him. But God made a way for us to be accepted through His Son, Jesus Christ. And Jesus says He will never reject anyone who comes to Him. Are you feeling rejected today? Turn to Christ. He will not reject you but accept you into His kingdom of everlasting joy and eternal life.

Bible Studies

I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: Jesus’ seven “I AM” statements – 6

Loring Schultz

Read: John 14:1-6 ESV – I Am the Way, and the Truth, and the – Bible Gateway

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” John 14:6 ESV

Photo by Greg Rosenke on Unsplash

Starting out on a journey, whether a local excursion or an extended trip across the miles requires a knowledge of the way to get to your destination. Whether using your smart phone, a GPS system, or downloaded directions from a maps web site,  all will show several ways to get there. That is fine when traveling from here to there in our world. At times more than one option is sometimes desirable and even recommended. Today’s GPS systems will even redirect you if you make a wrong turn. If you see your life here on earth as a journey, which it is, where is your destination at the end of your life and where are you getting your directions? Will your world religions and earthly maps warn you if you made a wrong turn and are going in the wrong direction?

Ultimately if your destination is heaven; there is only one road, only one way to eternal life in heaven with God the Father. In Jesus’ sixth “I am” statement in John’s gospel, Jesus said very clearly the He is the only way to the Father. Of the seven “I am” statements, this one is the most controversial in our day. Why, because Jesus declares there are no other roads or religions, no short cuts, no long way around, no alternative route to heaven except through Him.

If what Jesus said is not true, then He would be a liar, and if He is a liar, He could not be God the Son, and if he is not God the Son, then He could not save us from our sins. All roads do not lead to heaven, only one does, Jesus! If there are other ways to eternal life except through Jesus, then Jesus’ death on the cross was in vain. No, “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (Jn.14:6 esv)

Devotionals

The Promises of God

Loring Schultz

“And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:15 NLT

“And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 NLT

Photo by K2 Production on Pexels.com

The Holy Scriptures contain many promises of God, all of them kept. One promise yet to be fulfilled is the return of Jesus Christ. We can be assured based on God’s record of keeping promises this one is also certain to come about. Jesus’s first coming was a promise kept in the plan of salvation in redeeming sinners. Adam and Eve having disobeyed God brought sin into the world. Mankind, now with a sin nature, is separated from God. Our sin needed to be dealt with before a Holy God, and God Himself provided the necessary means to bring about reconciliation to Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ.

God informs Satan of his sure destruction. There will be hostility between Satan and unbelievers and Jesus and His followers. Satan will indeed cause Jesus to suffer, but Jesus delivers the final blow at the cross and in His resurrection from the dead.

This first promise was given way back in the Garden of Eden as recorded in the book of Genesis, and we see the beginning of the fulfilment of this promise in Matthew’s gospel of the New Testament. Matthew introduces the long-anticipated wait for the promised Messiah, the King of the Jews. The promise of the coming of Jesus Christ is foretold through the prophets of the Old Testament, prophecies concerning His first coming to provide the way of salvation and His second coming to rule as the King of kings. God’s promises come true; Jesus came to save His people from their sins, Satan is a defeated foe, and Jesus is coming back again. You can count on it.

Devotionals

Who do you say I am?

Loring Schultz

“Then he asked them, ‘But who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’” Matthew 16:15-16 NLT

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

In the world today as in centuries past there is much debate as to who Jesus is. To many He is a historical figure of great significance in the likes of Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, and other Greek philosophers. Jesus is considered to be one the prophets of old, the greatest of prophets by some. He is the teacher of all teachers. Jesus is the example of how we are to treat and love each other. He is all about love and kindness. Jesus is considered to be the greatest the person who has ever lived.

During Jesus’s ministry on earth the same debate was taking place. Some said He was a political figure who had come to overthrow Rome. Mostly were those who said He was a prophet. Jesus was even named as one the prophets of old and even the recent John the Baptist. Naming Jesus as one of the prophets had Messianic significance, but they missed it equating Jesus as one of the prophets and not the true Messiah.

When Jesus asked His disciples, ‘who do you say I am,’ Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Mt.16:16 nlt) Peter recognized Jesus as the Messiah by being with Him and carefully watching His every move and not getting caught up with the excitement of the crowds. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary notes, “The statement by Peter here is not the product of early enthusiasm but of studied reflection and solemn faith.”  Jesus commends Peter for his faith by saying to him, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.” (Mt.16:17 nlt)

So we as today Christians who have put our faith and trust in Jesus recognize Him as the Messiah, the Son of God. Be careful of those who claim Jesus as anything other than God the Son. He certainly is a great teacher, an example on how to live compassionately, and He can debate victoriously with any philosopher past and present, but Jesus is more than all that, He is God the Son. Let us be mindful that those who err on Jesus’s true identity also are mistaken in their teaching even though they may appear sincere, loving, and kind. Our salvation is not according to the good deeds we have done, but by our faith in Jesus Christ, God the Son, who says to the repenting sinner, ‘who do you say I am?’           

Devotionals

Why we need a comforter        

Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 23 ESV – The LORD Is My Shepherd – A Psalm of – Bible Gateway

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 ESV

Photo by Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels.com

Life is not easy. Sometimes it is downright hard and difficult to manage. Have you ever thought why it is this way? So many of us cannot except the fact that bad things happen to good people, and it is true that bad things do happen to ‘good’ people. But how do we define ‘good’? Let’s see how God defines good. It says in Psalm 14, “The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.” (Ps.14:2-3 esv) It looks like the word ‘good’ does not define any of us.

The reason ‘good’ does not define us is that we all have a sin nature. Like it or not we have inherited this nature from our first parents, Adam and Eve. There is no changing it. The punishment for our sin is death, physical death separation from the body and spiritual death separation from God for all eternity. There is no comfort that can be found in the punishment for our sin.

When David the shepherd, later a warrior, and then king wrote the 23rd Psalm he wrote of the Lord’s (David’s shepherd) comfort all through life. David knew life was hard. He was aware of his sin many times as several of his psalms reflect. When David wrote, ‘even thought I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,’ it was not only his death he was referring to, but of the trials and tribulations that come upon all of us in this life. The rod and staff of his shepherd provided him with protection and safety.

David knew that physical death was the result of his sin as we should also realize. But more importantly is to know the results of our sin concerning the second death if not dealt with in this life. Jesus came to protect us from that second death and bring us to safety in eternal life Him and God the Father. It is not just physical death, or the struggles of this life in which we need a comforter, it is to save us from eternal separation from God and Jesus Christ in eternity. That is why we need a comforter.

Devotionals

Is the Lord Your Shepherd?     

Loring Schultz

Read: Psalm 23 ESV – The LORD Is My Shepherd – A Psalm of – Bible Gateway

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1 ESV

Photo by Antonello Falcone – The Wiseman on Unsplash

This week’s daily devotions on ‘Word for the Soul’ will feature the 23rd Psalm. This is the most recognized Psalm of all 150 psalms in the psalter. Most people can recite it in its entirety, or least some portions of it. So, an assignment for this week, if you have not memorized it yet, now is your chance. (There are only six verses)

David, the author, begins with these famous words, “The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” (Ps.23:1 esv) David being a shepherd as a boy and young man knew the job of shepherding and the responsibilities it entailed. Number 1 on the list was the protection of the sheep under his care. David spent many long hot days and cold nights watching over the sheep. We do not know how David got paid or if he ever received compensation for his work, but he did his work flawlessly and at the risk of his own life.

The Lord Jesus not only risked His life for His sheep but gave up it up on the cross at Calvary. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (Jn.10:11 esv) David was able to see the relationship between his protecting and providing for his sheep and God doing the same for him, but in a much larger capacity. The Lord God providing for David all his life prompted him to write, ‘I shall not want.’ He was never lacking anything he needed. David’s shepherd provided for him.

David could call the Lord God his shepherd because he knew Him, followed Him, and obeyed Him. As you read the 23rd Psalm and attempt to memorize it this week can you say, ‘the Lord (Jesus) is my shepherd’? Do you know Him? Have you accepted Him as your savoir? Is the Lord your shepherd?

Devotionals

Nothing Lasts Forever; Wrong!         

Loring Schultz

Read: 1 Peter 1:21-25 NLT – Through Christ you have come to trust – Bible Gateway

“For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.” 1 Peter 1:23 NLT

We have all heard ‘nothing lasts forever’ and ‘all good things must come to an end.’ The problem with those sayings is our agreement with them. Sure, a dream vacation ends too quickly, your favorite team missed the playoffs (again), your favorite childhood amusement park was torn down, old friendships fade away, and they are many other examples I could think of and you can as well. All good things do not always come to end, but then again they do not last forever either. But there are two things that are guaranteed to last forever, your new life in Christ and the Word of God.

Peter, the apostle, was addressing the early Christians of the first century in his letter of 1 Peter. They were living in days very much like ours. Their society was hostile towards Christianity but accepting of other pagan religions. There was persecution among believers from neighbors and the authorities leading to social ostracism. Yet, Peter had some encouraging words for these dishearten Christians. They were cleansed from their sins having been born again to a new life that will never end.

So you see all good things do not come to an end. Christians can rejoice that their salvation is secure and everlasting. Our new life is eternal. It will last forever, meaning there is no end. And we also have that guarantee from the very living Word of God itself which ‘remains forever.’ (v.25) If you truly desire something that will last forever guaranteed, there are only two things, the Word of God through which you will meet Jesus, your savior providing you with life never ending.

Devotionals

Theologically Speaking           

Loring Schultz

“And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples and said: ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.’” Luke 6:20 ESV

“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger.” John 6:35 ESV

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com

I have heard it said from a well-known modern-day theologian that everyone is a theologian. All of us have a theology that we hold to. You may say I have no theological point of view, not even a thought of one. But you do and have thought about it. Simply put, theology is the study of God. You may not study God, but you have thoughts about Him, and even if you say there is no God, you have thought about Him who you believe is not there, theologically speaking.

Even among Christians there are differing theological views concerning God and His Word. Putting a stronger emphasis on certain doctrines will distinguish a theological view not held by all Christians. This doesn’t insinuate error but a disagreement on the subject matter. There are many such passages presented in Scripture which can be worked out between believers or agreeing to disagree as the saying goes.

One example would be the text verses above, two statements by Jesus concerning those who have a hunger for God and righteousness. Jesus said, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” (Lk.6:20 esv) Jesus is speaking of those who are poor in spirit seeking righteousness. In the book of John Jesus says, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger.” (Jn.6:35 esv) Jesus is not referring to physical hunger, but again a spiritual hunger.

In the above example some people will put a stronger emphasis on ‘poor’ and ‘hunger’ in their theological view in caring for the poor and hungry. No doubt helping the less fortunate is what all Christians ought to be doing. Helping the poor in spirit by feeding them the gospel message not only helps them in this life but saves their soul from eternal torment in eternity. The line between the two must be removed to see the truth of Scripture clearly and know our priorities as Christians, theologically speaking.

Devotionals

Self-deceived

Loring Schultz

“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven” Matthew 7:21 NLT

Young woman looking at her fragmented reflection in a broken mirror

How often have you been deceived? How many times have you been taken advantage of through deception of one kind or another? Have you ever invested in a project, no matter how noble, that turned out to be a sham? There have been many fraudulent schemes in past years that continue on even more aggressive in our day. They even affect our financial future. The effects of being deceived through misrepresentation of investing for future financial gains to secure a better life for yourself and others are heartbreaking when it is realized the returns are not there.

It is one thing to be deceived by others, but it is quite another when you deceive yourself. You may actually deceive yourself into believing you know best by putting your trust into your abilities and the actions you take. Again, the effects are heartbreak in this life when they fail, but they are more than heartbreak in eternity when you deceive yourself.

Jesus is recorded as saying, concerning the Day of Judgment, “On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’” (Mt.7:22-23 nlt) Apparently there were people in Jesus’s day who preached the name of Jesus and perform great deeds in Jesus’ name that Jesus will confirm that He never knew them. We can be sure there are those today who make the same claim. They also in return never knew the Lord Jesus as their Savoir, but deceived themselves into thinking they were heaven bound due to their performance here on earth.

Let us not deceive ourselves into applying this only to the so-called charlatans of our day whose preaching and antics distort the truth of the Gospel and the Word of God. This also includes the regular church attendee, the board member, Sunday school teacher, food bank organizer, choir director along with all who sing in the choir, the custodian, and all others within the church and outside the church who are deceiving themselves that good deeds will get you to heaven.

As Jesus explained to Nicodemus, the Jewish ruler, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” (Jn.3:3 nlt) It is not by your works but being born again by the grace of God. Do not be ‘self-deceived.’